Welcome to Tropical band

To most people the phrase "tropical bands" bring a pretty clear picture to mind - a bunch of shirtless guys playing calypso music. But to experienced shortwave DXers those two little words express the most challenging and enjoyable part of the radio hobby. The phrase kindles memories of a DXer's best catches and favorite QSLs, of exotic stations, music and of early morning listening sessions. (Don Moore)
I like the "Tropical band" name for new 60m allocation. (OK1RP)

Effective from 1st Jan 2017 please paper QSL via OM-bureau only.


Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Yaesu FT-450D on 60m band mods

Hello,

there I am posting the MARS modification for Yaesu FT-450D which can open the radio also for 60m band as I found it on Youtube. (thank You to author "Yvo Muniz" for posting it and sharing his job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8kqyekwPxc

There is another way for FT-450D mod to open TX for 60m band in text form (thanks to John, M0OBU)

* Remove covers (Top/Bottom) 
* Remove front panel (lift 4 plastic clips) Remove metal shield from body (screws) Locate jumpers JP2002 - JP2009 Clear top jumper.
* Fill # 6 from top with solder (bridge)
* Replace front & covers.
* Reset by holding IPO/ATT+AGC +NB & turn on.
* Rotate multifunction knob left(CCW) till "type" appears in display.
* Briefly press "F" key then press NB ("t" appears) Press & hold "F" key 3 seconds.

A long BEEP will sound & screen will clear before indicating frequency.


Hope it helps,

73 - Petr, OK1RP
.../-.-

C3 - Andorra on 60m - status by Salvador, C31CT

Hello,

here I am posting the actual status of the 60m band in C3 - Andorra updated by 26 Feb 2014...

As A.R.D.A.M Association, C37AC informed: 10 Feb 2014 they have asked the government to release complete 60 m band in Andorra for ham radio operation or at least the same channels allocation which was allowed for 2014 year in Spain, EA

Thank You very much to Salvador friend, C31CT for an updated information from A.R.D.A.M Ass. and  I hope that we will not need to wait as long as Spanish friend last years. I am wishing good luck!

See also WebSDR receiver by Salvador, C31CT on 60m band.

73 - Petr, OK1RP
.../-.-







Thursday, February 13, 2014

LZ - Bulgaria 60m band allocation by Danev, LZ1US

Latest from IARU R1 Bulgarian Rep Panayot Danev, LZ1US

New Amateur Bands in Bulgaria


New amateur bands have been allowed in Bulgaria. In the future LZ hams will be able to use bands 472-479 kHz, 5250-5450 kHz, 70.0-70.5 MHz and in addition 1.8 MHz band has been extended up to 2 MHz. All those bands have to be used on secondary basis.


Important note is coming from Paul, G4MWO (tnx) that they don't come into operation until published in their national government gazette!


Congrats to LZ guys and hope to meet on 60m band quite often.

73 - Petr, OK1RP
.../-.-


Update 26 Feb 2014:
http://www.bfra.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=643&Itemid=1
(tnx to Dezo, OM5NA)

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

The 60m band in US - proposals, future, discussion...

Hello,

an actual threat about the 60m band in US (and not only) You can find here:

http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php?422925-HamRadioNow-A-60-Meter-BAND-Maybe-Brennan-Price-tell-us-more!


73 - Petr, OK1RP
.../-.-

Band report - 4Feb14

Hello,

there is short band report from 60m from last few days...

Jonas, TF3JB is on air CW on ch5 around 21:30UTC. If You are looking for TF then give him a call.

Dov, 4Z4DX is very active CW on ch5 around 01:00UTC. Good sigs and easy to catch 4X on 60m.

Murtada, 9K2MU is QRV last days on ch5 using CW around 23:30UTC. Looking for new inits.

George, SV9IOM was heard USB on ch5 around 17:30UTC with good signal. Anybody worked him?

Octavio, YN2N worked on ch5 USB with nice signal even in EU around 00:00UTC. Give him a call.


73 - Petr, OK1RP
.../-.-

The Double Bazooka Antenna

Notes on Assembly of the Double Bazooka

The Double Bazooka Dipole is a very efficient single band antenna which is very quiet, and does not require the use of a balun. This antenna consists of coax (RG58) or other 50 ohm type with the shield split at the center and the feedline attached to the open ends. Do not break the center conductor. With the feedline attached directly to the two open ends this acts as a half wave dipole along with the open wire end sections. This double bazooka can be cut for any operating frequency and is broad banded. It can be mounted as a flat top or an inverted vee and will handle the legal limit. As an added plus, it can be operated as a multiband antenna by using a suitable tuner. As with most antenna projects, get the double bazooka up as high as possible. Some tuning of the length for best swr may be required and you can use materials that are easily obtainable.

Experiment!




Additional construction information:
(This tip from Jay, W5IB)

On the cable ends you do not need to use twin lead. You can make these antennas using a single piece of 12 gauge copper wire or larger for each end or you can also use ladder line etc.

I would advise using heavy end wires for strength purposes. The weakest part of this antenna is at the junction of the coax and the end wire or twinlead. To prevent the joints from breaking especially for long lengths, I picked up some 1/2 inch PVC pipe.
I cut the PVC in half length wize so it would overlap a few inches on the joints.
Place the PVC at the joints in "splint fashion" and secure with regular screw hose clamps. Put the clamps close to the ends of the "splint", tighten snugly and it should take the strain off the joint and should give a strong joint.
Do this at the center using a " T " support from PVC or use your own engineering. When designed for the lower hf bands, this antenna can be a bit heavy since coax is used. It can be supported along it's entire length with non-conductive cord, rope, cable, etc by suspending and attaching the antenna from the support cable with nylon wire ties every few feet.
This relieves the tension and strain from the center and end connections.

CO - Cuba on 60m band by Pavel, CO7WT - addition 1

Hello,

in order to clarify the situation with Cuban's stations on 60m
(see here http://60mband.blogspot.de/2014/01/co-cuba-on-60m-band-by-pavel-m-c-co7wt.html)
there I am posting the latest information from my friend Pavel, CO7WT.

Petr,

Today the Regulatory Agency (ACS) make a clarification on the law, as a Q&A session to a bunch of questions that the National Ham Association (FRC) has gathered...

The ACS make it clear. The band is for emergencies & experimentation on the national territory and only with Cuban's hams, no contact is allowed with other countries "until further notice"...

73 & CU on the bands...
Pavel, CO7WT


Well it is sad news but each start is not easy and need to go step by step! So we all have to be very patient and be happy with even small step forward!

I am very happy to be in touch with Pavel and getting news regarding the 60m in Cuba in the future.

73 - Petr, OK1RP
.../-.-

Monday, February 3, 2014

The Winter 2013-4 Edition - 09 - of The 5 MHz Newsletter by Paul, G4MWO

The Winter 2013-4 Edition - 09 - of The 5 MHz Newsletter is now available.

It's a new year with new allocations and a bumper 5-page issue !
As well as latest news there's also an article on the Supremacy
of 5 MHz as a Communication Bridge, Beacon Spot features the
new South African ZS6KTS Beacon plus items on Digital Voice
and another new webSDR on 60m, together with the latest update
of the Worldwide 5 MHz Amateur Allocations Chart - now with
a total of 31 countries .

Hot off the press is information from UK regulator Ofcom that there are now over four thousand UK 5 MHz Amateur NoVs.

You can find The 5 MHz Newsletter at
 

http://tinyurl.com/o26huzb

or in the 'External Links' section of the Wikipedia 60m Band page:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/60-meter_band

or in the 5 MHz section of The Southgate Ham Forum


http://www.amateurradiotoday.com/forum

Cheers

Paul Gaskell G4MWO
Editor, The 5 MHz Newsletter



Thank You Paul for excellent job,

73 - Petr, OK1RP
.../-.-